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A licensed pest technician is someone who has met state regulatory requirements to legally apply restricted-use pesticides and operate pest-control services, while a certified technician has completed specific exams or credential programs that demonstrate expertise in particular pests, inspection methods, or treatment technologies. Licensing is a legal authorization focused on public safety, recordkeeping, and compliance…

A wildlife removal company working in Washington should hold a current Washington business license, adequate general liability insurance (and bonding where required), any WDFW permits needed to handle, relocate, or take regulated wildlife, and a Washington State Department of Agriculture commercial pesticide applicator license or certification when pesticides or repellents are used. Technicians should also…

Diatomaceous earth kills insects by mechanically abrading their exoskeletons and adsorbing lipids from the insect cuticle, which disrupts the insect’s water barrier and leads to fatal dehydration. Chemically inert and composed of the fossilized silica shells of diatoms, its action is physical rather than toxic, making it effective against many crawling arthropods that rely on…

Schools treat pesticides as a last resort because they prioritize integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that emphasize prevention, monitoring, and non-chemical controls to minimize children’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals while still maintaining a healthy learning environment. Beyond health concerns, schools rely on IPM because it targets the root causes of infestations—structural repairs, exclusion, sanitation,…

Several natural pest control options — including diatomaceous earth for crawling insects, boric acid bait in tamper‑resistant stations for ants and cockroaches, insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils for soft‑bodied garden pests, exclusion and physical barriers, and targeted use of botanical repellents — can be used safely around children and pets when selected appropriately, applied at…

Pet-safe ant baits that use borax or boric acid, properly formulated and placed in tamper-resistant stations, are among the most effective pet-friendly treatments for common household ants because they allow for slow transfer of a toxicant back to the colony. This matters in the Pacific Northwest because the region’s mild, wet climate and dense forested…

When applying pesticides at home, you should wear chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves and pants, eye protection, and a respirator or particulate mask as specified on the product label. Additional protections commonly recommended include closed-toe shoes or boots, a chemical-resistant apron for mixing, and a face shield for splash-prone tasks; the exact combination depends on the…

Yes — ant bait and ant spray can be used together safely in many situations, but only when applied with an understanding of how each product works and with careful attention to label directions and exposure risks. Sprays are typically fast-acting contact insecticides (often pyrethroids or pyrethrins) that can kill or repel foraging ants on…

The symptoms of insecticide poisoning in dogs and cats most commonly include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, tremors or twitching, weakness or collapse, respiratory distress, seizures, altered pupil size (pinpoint or dilated), drooling, and ataxia; onset and severity vary with the chemical class, dose, route of exposure, and the animal’s size and health. Clinical signs can…

Pesticide poisoning is treated through immediate removal from the source, rapid decontamination (removing contaminated clothing and thorough washing or eye irrigation), stabilization of airway/breathing/circulation, institution of supportive care (fluids, oxygen, seizure control), and, when indicated, administration of class-specific antidotes—most notably atropine and pralidoxime for organophosphate or carbamate poisoning, vitamin K for anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion, and…